Exam Question Flashcards
Define public policy
what public officials within government and, by extension the citizens they represent, choose to do or not to do about public problems
Sin Taxes
a tax on an item or behavior that is unpopular
a tax on a product that the state seeks to reduce the consumption of
Who does Medicaid serve and how it is funded?
services low-income mothers and children, the elderly, and disabled. it is funded through fiscal federalism which is federal grants given to state and local governments for services and programs they provide
How do regions vary in their funding for educations?
NE states tend to fund through property taxes
S and W states rely on state and federal funding
What is the trend of funding higher education at the state level and what impact does this have on tuition?
States have been decreasing funding for higher education which leads to increases in tuition
What are risk assessments and why are they used in bail hearings?
Risk assessments are a set of factors used to determine whether someone should have bail. They are meant to standardize the process.
What are the causes of different environmental conditions among states?
Structure of state economy
Topography
Federal, state, and local policies
Other states’ environmental policies
What did the ACA do to Medicaid? What powers do states still retain?
Expanded Medicaid coverage
States still get to decide level of coverage, can create their own health exchanges, and can scale back coverage
What is public health? Provide an example
The area of medicine that deals with the protection and improvement of citizen hygiene through government agencies
What are three healthcare challenges facing states?
Health information technology, long term care and public health
Five Context of Public Policy
Social (composition of population & type of community)
Economic (unemployment & budgetary policies)
Political (strength of parties, ideological differences among electorate, & ability of interest groups to exert pressure)
Governing (separation of powers & federalism)
Cultural (commitment to individualism, freedom & pragmatism)
